Topic: When God Needs Your Attention [DCLM Daily Manna 11 November 2020 Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
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Text: Job 33:14-33 (KJV)
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
Key Verse: “For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed.” – (Job 33:14,15)
MESSAGE:
An American educationist once said, “A good teacher, like a good entertainer first must hold his audience’s attention, then he can teach his lesson”. God is a Father, a good Teacher, but never an entertainer. Anything He does is with a clear purpose and always turns out for our good at the end especially to those that love Him. And He teaches us in several ways unimaginable. Some of His methods may be familiar and some very unfamiliar. One thing is certain; His lessons are always to leave us better if we are patient.
Also See: Open Heaven 11 November 2020 – Christian Discipleship IV
Elihu, the youngest of Job’s acquaintance who came to condole with him in his affliction posited an important concept to look into when we are going through challenges and tough times. He suggested that Job’s affliction could have been a way God was trying to get his attention. While this may not be all correct in the particular case of Job, we can allude to other biblical instances where God actually sought the attention of His people by permitting some sort of discomfort or situations to draw their attention. Moses was in the wilderness of Midian buried in his daily routine, when God suddenly showed him a very disturbing sight, the bush burning but not consumed. Another instance was Samuel as a young man. He wanted to rest to have comfort, while God kept calling him until he was wide awake to receive the message from God.
God always tries to speak to everyone. He uses verbal means or by simply leading us to scriptural passages that could correct or help to amend our ways. He can even use human or supernatural means. He may use dreams and visions. And when all else fails, He may resort to using challenging situations to draw our attention. Before you demonise any affliction or challenging situation, it may be wise to check up if God is trying to speak through the situation.
Thought For The Day: God speaks loudest in challenging situations, but do we hear?
The Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 1-2
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.